Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Mulberry brigade is dominating the lip colour choice this season. The 'new goth' is hitting the beauty trend ever since Givenchy, Gucci, Rochas, YSL and Viktor and Rolf send down models wearing the trend. Its all about how deep you can go. Finishes range from matte to patent shine gloss, offset by a perfect clear skin for contrast. Rich shades of wine, plum, mulberry and merlot should be in your lip colour palette.

The great thing about mulberry is its not too-dark and looks good on almost every skin tone. Just find the right shade for you.

- Make sure to exfoliate your lips to buff away any flakes and wear a lip balm underneath before you wear your colour
- Don't shy away from wearing it deep
- Wear it matte or gloss, but make sure all the attention is on the lips.
- Dark colours demand for flawless skin and smouldering eyes

Aveda has some good vegetarian shades in mulberry, deep red, plum colour palette.

Colours and prints are two huge trends everywhere. You can't deny the impact of colour in an outfit - a pop of colour can make even a rucksack look like a million bucks. Its about wearing the right amount the right way. Gone are the days when bright coloured hues were restricted to summer. As the world economy started sinking the fashion industry went bold and loud in revenge and it has never looked back ever since. Colours are now winter and autumn fashion darling in full rage. There's no such thing as too much colour - no matter what season you're in.

Here are some colourful outfits for inspiration. So take out all your colours and paint the town red.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Applauds to Stella McCartney for creating a line of luxury accessories that does not come with cruelty. The world we love in is driven by greed and pride. People often forget their values and fashion industry is a big slave to it. Women spend thousands of dollars on bags and shoes that comes from brutal killing of animals and their cruel treatment. Some so-called exotic ones are made from ripping off skin of rare and exotic animals like white crocodile and God alone knows what, and cost over whopping $25,000. And the sad part is, people pay the price. Why would someone want to kill a rare animal, make a bag out of it and wear it with pride. Isn't this technically (and humanly) shame?

Anyhow, thats their lookout. As they say - 'as you sow so shall you reap'. But what disturbed and appalled me is that while I was looking out for Stella's bags online I stumbled on a few websites questiniong the price tag attached to the Stella McCarney's Bags - women argued that why does Stella McCarney sell her bags for over $1000 when she does not use any leather. The quality of the materials used on her bags was also questioned, it was disregarded as purely being just PVC. You can even read one of the reviews here on purseblog.

What baffles me is they easily questioned the price tag for a vegan bag (just because Stella happens to be the only luxury designer in the industry who believes in ethical fashion and sees no reason why a life has to be compromised in the name of luxury; and yet comes with exquisite designs), but no one ever questioned the exorbitant price tags attached to simple jacket made from jersey or a chiffon gown. If a price tag of $6,400 is justified for a velvet gown from Bottega Veneta or $4,900 for a chiffon gown from Gucci or $3,225 for a jacquard jacket from Dolce and Gabbana (let me remind you, none of these fabrics are so hard to source or difficult to manufacture that the price tags would be so high just for the fabric. They would not even cost on tops $100 for those pieces.), then there's no reason why a $1,250 is not justifiable for a faux-leather bag from a designer house.

Let me remind you that when you pay a premium for a luxury designer item - be it a bag or shoe or a dress or jacket - the large part of the premium comprises not of the material (its not so expensive to get best quality fabrics), but the detailing that goes into making that product, the design that the designer has spent hours on creating, the exclusivity of the product that you wouldn't find every next person carrying that bag and most importantly (it's a no-brainer) the brand name - if you're wearing a luxury brand you want to be recognised (a very small percent can argue on this, so we'll talk about the majority). A high-priced luxury item conveys prestige and a sense of belonging to an elite group, and that's why a premium is attached to it. Moreover, a designer piece is like a piece of art. And Stella McCartney's bags is high on all the above parameters. In fact she has changed the dynamics of the luxury accessories. The material used in her bags (I happen to own a few pieces from her) is awesome, you cannot question the quality, even if it is PVC or something of the sort.

In fact, those who think leather is an exclusive or luxury item, they need to know that sourcing good quality leather is not expensive and if you would visit countries like India, Brazil you would be surprised at the ubiquity of cows and other animals on the streets and their leather is dirt cheap. Most of the luxury bags (LV, Fendi, Gucci, Prada) are made from cow leather, which is not an exclusive material. Its very cheap to source, and in fact you can find best quality of leather bags in less than $50 in some parts of the world. So the premium on LV and Gucci's leather bags are not paid for the leather, but on the basis of parameters discussed above.

Just because she uses faux-leather, Stella McCartney's bags cannot be dismissed as being just like any other piece. They are undeniably high on the luxury quotient and their popularity among the many known-to-be-stylish ladies and celebrities just proves this.

It is explanation enough why Stella McCartney's bags are so expensive.

Celebrities carrying Stella McCartney Bags

Hollywood biggie Angelina Jolie is a big fan of Stella McCartney bags and has been spotted carrying it many times. Here's a picture of her wearing Stella McCartney Black Falabella Bag and on other occassions chic-ingly wearing Stella McCartney's classy Grace Bag (from Stella McCartney's Fall/Winter 2011 collection). She's looking every inch a movie star in all the Stella looks.

The very stylish Kate Moss was spotted out and about in London carrying a Falabella clutch in black. Loving her head to toe, pink cropped pants, the effortlessly worn black shirt and the currently hot two toned pumps. The bag ups her style quotient.

Jayma Mays wows in a black dress pairing it with a love-at-first-sight Stella McCartney foldover black Falabella clutch with a pea-a-boo of blue that she colour blocked with yellow sandals. She's clad in Stella McCartney LBD.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Doing the denims at Olympics, Kate Middleton does not mind repeating the outfit, which is what we love about her. She was spotted wearing Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon wedges (center and right) thrice (or more?) at the Olympic 2012 and also her J brand skinny dark denims.

Wearing a blazer with denims is the easiest way to perk up the outfit, like Kate Middleton did at the Olympics in her Smythe navy blazer that she wore twice at the event, first in a more formal way with her tucked-in ruffled shirt and brown belt while later swapping it to a more casual chic avatar with a nautical tee.

Now we know what a rage coloured denims have been, especially tangerine and its likes have been and still are the colour of the season. Kate Middleton did a twosome with her coral skinny (Zara) jeans, wearing it up and down.

The official ambassador of Team GB in the Olympics, Kate Middleton paid visit to the country's hockey team and brightened up the Olympic Park in her coral jeans with her impeccable style. The Duchess of Cambridge made a morning call in a pair of coral jeans that she wore with a tee and spruced up with a double-breasted Pucci blazer and official Olympic scarf and finished off with her classic L.K. Bennett black pumps emanating chicness and elegance. While at the park, she quickly swapped for a marl grey team GB hoodie and trainers to show off her sporty side. A simple yet bang on look.

Continuing the trend, Kate Middleton stayed true to her style in denims pepped up with a blazer but taking a girlie smart casuals route. At a more recent appearance, Kate Middleton dazzled in a red Zara blazer that she wore with a playful polka dot top and blue skinny jeans and her Olympic crush - Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon wedges - at the swimming finals.

Now we hear that Zara has been doing really well, and Kate Middleton has some role in the skyrocketing sales of brand Zara. Ever since she has been spotted wearing some Zara outfits, looks like every girl has been flocking to the store to steal her style. That's Royal.

- We ought to appreciate that despite being the Duchess of Cambridge, when she can flaunt the best designer labels and never repeat an outfit, Kate Middleton proves that you need not spend an awful amount of money to look like a million bucks. High street labels are good enough to show your stylish side. If you have the money, you can combine and mix high street with designer labels, but that's not necessary.

- A simple pair of denim can be styled in myriad ways and can be worn for any occasion. You can dress it up, dress it down. Wear it to a formal event, or just for strolling down the streets. The key is to style it right.

- For wearing it to a formal occasion, denim can be paired with a well-fitted jacket and a tucked in shirt (Grazia cover on top). Smart pumps and if you like you can throw a nice scarf for a polished look.

- Work-out to stay in shape. If you are in shape, you would look good even in a rucksack. Kate's great body is one of the reasons that she looks a million bucks even in a simple tee and skinny jeans.

- It is crucial to wear well-fitted garments. You would notice that every outfit that Kate wears looks like it has been customised for her body. That's the beauty of being a smart shopper (or having a great stylist). If you wear well-fitted clothes, your job is half done.

- When not sure, stick to the basics, classic pumps, denims, blazer, tees and shirts. Just choose the right colour palette and wear clothes that are your size.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

When the feminine, sophisticated, young and peppy peter pan collars ﻿sprung up on the runways of Miu Miu, Mouis Vuitton last season, it was a delight. It has been since spotted on celebs and have been a hit from high-fashion to high-street alike. But don't get fooled that they're last season thing.

The ubiquity of these collars have not taken off its popularity as they continue to be the collar and accessory choice of designers for their upcoming collections (Victoria Beckham revamped them in her A/W 2012 line).

Now you must be wondering why do I need a detachable collar when I can wear th whole shirt? You ought to probably scroll down and see some interesting looks that these PP detachable's can create. What can I say? A picture is worth a thousand words......

A detachable collar is a great way to revive your outfit or pep-up a boring one. So when Cosmopolitan Magazine asked me to do a DIY tutorial for their July issue, Peter Pan Collar DIY as my obvious choice.

Beautify-flr Peter Pan Collar DIY - as featured in Cosmopolitan July 2012 Issue

Wear preppy meets girly aesthetic with your own easy to make Peter Pan collar in four simple steps as shown in Cosmopolitan 2012 issue.

Cut out two half moon patterns from paper, then cut that shape out of your fabric and canvas cloth using that paper pattern (or an existing collar of same shape)

Step 2:

Once the fabrics are cut, sew the canvas and the fabric together so that the two half moons are ready.

Step 3:

When the two half moons are lined with canvas, overlap the wider end pieces and sew together on the back, without interlocking the front end of the fabric. Alternatively, you can use a decorative button and use it to sew the pieces together

Step 4:

Cut two lengths of the ribbon of equal length and sew one string on each of the smakllr ends of the collar.

Voila!!! That’s it, you are done.

Wear it with your shift dress or a simple top to collar pop or add some sparkle (or feminine touch).

Join Beautify

Subscribe To Beautify-flr

Disclaimer

Beautify does not claim credit for any images featured on this site, unless otherwise noted. All images, visual content and videos are copyright to it's respectful owners. If you own rights to any of the featured images and do not wish it to appear on this blog, please contact me for removal.